What are you holding onto today? What are you grasping for? We all have something we want, whether it is something we can touch tangibly or something we seek to experience. It could be an increase in finances, better health, an improved relationship with a friend or loved one, the acceptance or approval of another, or even something as simple as a stress free day at work for once. While none of these things are bad in and of themselves, when they become our primary focus, they push God to the side. Matthew 6:33 tells us to seek God first- before all other things and the rest will fall into place.
Whatever we reach for becomes the focus of our attention. 1Timothy 2: 8 says “I want men (and women) everywhere to lift up holy hands in prayer, without anger or disputing.” You can’t lift your hands for long if they are holding onto something. Eventually, the load will get heavy, your arms will get tired and you will drop your hands or drop your load. You also cannot receive something if your hands are full already.
We all must come to the point in our lives where we decide if we want what we can obtain and hold onto or do we want what God wants to give us. If it is a gift from God, it is not dependent upon us. It is solely dependent upon Him. If we choose to receive from Him what He has for us, we must set aside our ambitions and our plans for ourselves so we are in a posture to receive from Him what He has planned for us [Jeremiah 29:11, 13].
We can trust what our Father gives us is better than anything we could obtain on our own. James 1:17 says “Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.” God loves to lavish His love on His on children. What will you reach for today?